Compressed-meat can



(No Model.) 2 Sheets--Sheet 1 J. L. BLACK.

GOMPRESSED MEAT CAN. No. 601,931. Patented Apr. 5,1898.

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(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet2. J. L. BLACK.

GOMPRESSED MEAT CAN.

Patented Apr. 5

Jim 11 c' (c A W/7'NESSES INVENTOH ,BZackE ATTOY EYJ PETERS cu PHo'ro-uma, WASHINGTON 0 c NITE TATES JENNIE L. BLAOK,-OF FREEPORT, OHIO.

COMPRESSED-MEAT CAN.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N0. 601,931, dated April 5, 1898.

'llpplication filed August 23, 1897. Serial No. 649,209. (No model.) I

To all whom it may concern:

. Be it known that I, J ENNIE L. BLACK, a citizen of the United States, residing at Freeport, in the county of Harrison and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Compressed-Meat Cans; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to a can for containing and preserving pressed meats; and its object is to provide a can of this character which is simple and inexpensive in construction and by means of which the meat contained therein may be compressed and formed into a roll which may be readily and'conveniently transported and removed for slicing when desired.

With this and other objects in view the invention consists in the novel constructions, combinations, and arrangements of parts hereinafter more fully described, and particularly pointed out in the appended claim.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of. my improved can; Fig. 2, a similar view showing the can opened to expose the contents; Fig. 3, a longitudinal sectional view of the same; Fig. 4:, a detail perspective view of the follower-cap; Fig. 5, a horizontal section of the can; Figs. 6 and 7, a sectional elevation and horizontal section, respectively, of a modified form of can.

Referring nowmore particularly to the accompanyin g drawings, 1 represents the can or casing, which is formed of two semicylindric sections 2 3, suitably hinged or pivoted together, so as to open and close. The hinging is effected in the present instance by forming the edge of the section 3 with a coil 3, which incloses a pintle-wire 3", with which knuckles 2 on the section 2 engage but any other mode of hinging or pivoting may be employed. The meeting edges of the said two sections overlap and fit intimately, so as to prevent loss of the meat-juices, and in order to maintain the sections closed I have providedthe free edge of the section 3with pivot ed catches 5 to engage keepers 6 on the contiguous side edge of the section 2, as shown. The can thus constructed is open at the top and formed with an upper beaded-rim edge 7. The section 2 is also bottomless; but I have provided the section 3 with a substantially semicircular supporting-plate S to hold the meat roll 9 and prevent it from slipping out when the can is opened for its removal, as shown in Fig. 2. v

10 represents a cup-shaped cover which encompasses the lower end of the can and closes the bottom thereof. The circumferential flanged wall of this cover is formed with a vertical groove 11, which is adapted to receive the coil 3, and in practice this flange may be of such depth as to nearly inclose the whole of the can, in which event one hinge connection might be dispensed with or the hinges and fastening devices altogether dispensed with and the edges of the can provided with interlocking coils ll or tongue-andgroove connections, as illustrated in Fig. 7. I do not, however, contemplate employing such construction for general use, but only when the meats are prepared by the French method, in which the juice is poured in with the solid contents and allowed to gelatinize in order to provide an absolutely liquid-tight can to prevent loss of the juice.

12 represents a follower-cap which is adapt ed to close the upper end or mouth of the can.

This cap .is provided with a deep pendent flanged wall 13, having-a perforated bottom plate 14, which forms a follower by which the meat contained in the can may be compactly compressed into roll form. The cap may have a pivoted metal loop or ring 15 for insertion of the finger to facilitate its removal. The perforated bottom 14 allows the juice to flow into the cap when the meat is pressed, and side openings 13 are provided in the flanged wall 13 to facilitate cleaning.

In operation the two sections 2 3 are closed to form a cylindric can or casing and the cover 10 applied. The cooked meat is now filled in to near the top of the can and the followercap 12 inserted and forced down until the meat is closely compressed and is molded into the form of the can and allowed to become cool and firm. The can may be fluted to form an ornamental roll.

When it is desired to use the meat roll 9, the cover 10 and follower-cap 12 are removed, the catches released, and the sections 2 3 spread open, as shown in Fig. 2, so as to expose the roll. The supporting-plate 8 holds the roll in position and permits of the can being carried without dropping the meat roll.

It will be seen from the above description that my improved can is not only simple and cheap in construction, but provides a convenient manner of putting up compressed meats for sale and transportation, and is especially adapted for use by excursionists, picnic parties, and others on account of its compactness and the ease with which it may be handled.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new and useful, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, 1s

A can or casing for containing and compressing meats, comprising two semicylindrical sections pivoted to open and close, a cover for one end of the can, and a followercap for the opposite end of the can comprising a casing movable in the can and having a perforated bottom, apertured walls, and a circumferential flange to engage the upper edge of the can, substantially as described.

111 testimony whereof I aifix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JENNIE L. BLACK.

Witnesses:

B. W. SrEeK, J. T. BARRETT. 

